Tributes to Bill, a legend of Brixham football

I start this week’s report with the sad news that Brixham football stalwart Bill Harris has passed away. Bill was secretary of the Brixham Villa club for over 50 years and was the driving force in the merger with Brixham United in 2012 to create the Brixham AFC we have today.

And what a merger it turned out to be, with the first team now playing football in the Western League, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Buckland Athletic, Clevedon and Falmouth to name a few, and the second team playing in the South Devon Premier League, where both Villa and United used to play.

Bill also received a services to football award from the FA for the work he had done for football in the county. As a player, he won the Herald Cup and the South Devon Premier Division with Brixham Villa. Bill will also be remembered for setting up the Brixham AFC lottery, which helps fund the club to this day.

The current secretary of the club, Mark Buley, who provided the above information described Bill as an absolute legend and a man that has done so much for football and he will be sorely missed. Bill’s funeral is at All Saints church Brixham at 10.30am on Thursday, March 28.

There was no fairytale ending for South Brent in the Herald Cup 3rd round against Premier Division Newton Abbot 66. The home team ran out 9-1 winners but it was not plain sailing in the first half, 66 scored in the first minute and added a second with a penalty but it was not until manager Ian Clennehan made sweeping substitutions that 66 started to click.

Three goals in a two-minute period put the game beyond the Division Three side who did manage a consolation with the last kick of the game. Tom Lowe and Jamie Groves scored two each after coming on as subs and there were singles for Callum Foskett, Joe Clark Farley, Ashley Dove and Liam Ashwell.

In the Premier Division, Ilsington Villa remain two points clear at the top after a 5-2 home win against bottom club WBB. Daniel Langford notched up a hat-trick with Jack Langford and Jack Dixon adding singles.

Just behind them are Plymouth-based Morley Rangers, who played a home game in Newton Abbot versus Brixham AFC just to guarantee the game would be on and the move proved profitable as they ran out 3-0 victors. Matt David, J J Honeywell and James Melluish were the target men for Rangers.

Buckfastleigh Rangers opened up a gap into fourth place with a 6-4 home win against Beesands Rovers, whose season has stalled since December.

East Allington Utd slipped to third from bottom, despite holding Kingsteignton Athletic to a 0-0 draw at Broadpark and that’s because Chudleigh Athletic had a great result, running out 4-1 winners over Waldon Athletic at Kate Brook and are now eight points clear of the drop zone.

Joe Potter scored two with Gavin Hammon and Jack Edward Salmons adding singles that could keep the maroons safe from the drop.

In Division One, it was the quarter-finals of the Dartmouth Cup and Buckland Athletic reserves booked a semi-final slot with a 2-1 home win versus Brixham Town and there was a real heavyweight tussle at South Devon College where Paignton Saints knocked out top of the table Ivybridge Town by 4 goals to 1, Jaimie Micklewright scored twice with Ben Clarke and Jake Powell adding singles.

There was also a big result for Watcombe Wanderers, who defeated Newton Abbot Spurs 2-0 and Spurs finished the game with 10 players, a result that may be costly for Spurs come the end of May.

Totnes and Dartington have now moved into third place, four points clear of Spurs in fourth, Jack Whitby scored in each half for the Tots to secure the points.

Paignton Villa moved into the safety zone with a 3-0 win at Upton Athletic, who remain at the wrong end of the table and in desperate need of a win, they won’t need to wait long for that opportunity, as on Easter Saturday they play fellow relegation candidates Harbertonford at Steps cross.

In Division Two, the top four all won and it remains very tight as we move into the business end of the season. Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds stay top with a 5-2 win over Paignton Villa 2nds.

East Allington Utd are in second place after a 4-1 win at home to Newton Rovers and in third place, Bovey Tracey reserves had a comfortable 7-0 home win against Waldon Athletic 2nds.

Pre-season favourites Paignton Saints 2nds remain in fourth place, three points off second and seven points off the top following their 4-1 victory at bottom side Brixham Town 2nds. Billy Reah, George Keats and Syzmon Brzezinski were the heroes for the Saints.

There are three points separating four of the bottom five and Ipplepen Athletic / Paignton Villa 2nds / Newton Rovers and Waldon Athletic 2nds could do with winning a game.

In Division Three, Watcombe Wanderers 2nds beat 3rd placed Totnes and Dartington 2nds by 2-0 to remain three points ahead of Ashburton, who had a comfortable afternoon by inflicting an 8-0 defeat on Kingsbridge and Kellaton United.

Stoke Gabriel TP moved into the safety zone with a 7-1 win at Teign Village, Adam Blackburn, Max Prestwood, Paul Christie and Ian Sloman were all on target for Stoke.

Elburton Villa 3rds continue to improve and make inroads with the games in hand on their rivals, a 5-3 win at Broadhempston put them into 5th place and only eight points off the top with two games in hand. Their neighbours Drake FC were given a walkover, as Watcombe Wanderers 3rds could not raise a team.

Games to catch on Easter Saturday in the South Devon Football League include the Premier Division clash at Buckfastleigh, where Kingsteignton are the visitors, there is a relegation battle for Brixham AFC who host Elburton Villa.

A big local derby at Coach Road will see Paignton Saints entertain Paignton Villa and a relegation six-pointer at Steps Cross, where Upton Athletic play Harbertonford. In Division Three, there is a promotion six-pointer when Bovey Tracey welcome East Allington 2nds.

There are two big cup quarter-finals, at Ashburton who host South Brent in an A38 derby and at Totnes and Dartington 2nds who play Liverton United.

The big game in Division Four is first versus third in the form of Drake FC versus Liverton 2nds, which could have a big say in who is in the top two come May.

Thank you for supporting grassroots football in South Devon.